Manoa Residence
project type
Preservation, Renovation
year completed
2020
MASON collaborated with Philpotts Interiors to develop a clear vision for the design of this historic island home which had been in the client’s family for generations. Of utmost importance was the need to restore and update the home, while also keeping true to the cultural and historical elements that the clients so loved.
Understanding the history of the house helped guide the team. The 1928 house had great bones, but needed new infrastructure and refreshed finishes. The original floors couldn’t be refinished due to termite damage and years of sanding. The team sourced new ohia, as well as mahogany for the staircase, and oak and Douglas fir in the upstairs bedrooms to match the original. To recreate historically appropriate kitchen and baths, the team sourced period-appropriate appliances and cabinetry, a clawfoot tub, restoration-style mosaic tile, and oversaw updated electrical and plumbing throughout the home. Custom sofas and entertainment and reading nooks make the spaces feel cozy and warm. Sustainability was important to the clients, who chose not to install air conditioning, and instead rely on ceiling fans and the Mānoa breezes to cool the home. The original wood windows were restored by skilled craftsmen and later additions replaced with new windows matching the originals.
Photo Credit: Jenn Ellenburg
Great attention was paid to the memory of those who had lived here before, so that the family’s kids and grandkids could appreciate both their own and the home’s history. The team accomplished this by installing family heirlooms, portraits and keepsakes, while also incorporating the grown children’s style in order to provide a “home away from home” where they could create their own memories in the years to come.
To realize this unique restoration, family and function, mingled with a deep respect for history, was at the forefront of the design.
PROJECT DETAILS
- Items such as a traditional French gas stove and a clawfoot tub were installed to match with the historic finishes.
- Historically accurate mosaic patterned tiles were installed in the kitchen and bathroom.
- The original historic windows were restored; new custom double hung windows with weighted pockets were designed to match the appearance to replace the windows that were not salvageable.
SERVICES
- Architectural Design
- Historical Architectural Consulting
- Construction Administration
